- Karighatta
Karighatta is a hill situated a few kilometres outside the 'island' town of
Srirangapatna . It is situated off theBangalore -Mysore road just beforeSrirangapatna . The name translates to "Black Hill" inKannada . The hill has aHindu temple devoted to a form ofHindu godVishnu , called "Karigirivasa". This deity is also referred to , or “LordSrinivasa ”, also named “Bairagi Venkataramana”. The epithet ‘Bairagi’ for this idol is derived due the fact that when ‘alankara’ (flower decoration) is done to the deity, the deity looks like a Bairagi (mendicant ). The hill stands at a height of 2697 feet above sea level. It supports dry scrub jungle and manytamarind andgooseberry trees are found around the temple. A small river, Lokapavani, a tributary ofKaveri flows by the hill.The main entrance to the temple, with huge wooden doors opens into a large quadrangle, which is the main shrine for Vaikunta Srinivasa in black stone, flanked by Yoga Srinivasa (without his consort) and Bhoga Srinivasa idols. The temple of Goddess Padmavathi is on the western side. Facing the main temple is a statue of
Garuda and a Garudastamba.There is also a Kalyanamantapa (marriage hall)which is used for performing marriages and other functions. [http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/apr292004/metro11.asp An article fromDeccan Herald about Karighatta] ] It is believed that the great sageBhrigu has done the Prathishthapana (installation ceremony) of the deity.The hill may be climbed by stone steps (450 in number). A winding paved road may also be used. The stone steps lead to a flat land where the temple stands. The hillock has a view of
Srirangapatna andMysore . The beautiful landscape around the hill and the confluence of Kaveri and Lokapavani rivers can be seen from atop the hill.The famous Nimishamba (the incarnation of
Parvathi , the goddess wife of LordShiva ) temple is on the opposite bank of the Lokapavani river.It is a belief thatParvathi will clear all the problems and troubles of her devotees within a minute ("nimisha" inSanskrit ).Mythology
It is referred in
Varaha Purana as ‘Neelachala’, a Sanskrit word, which means 'Blue Mountain.'. It is believed that performing some aesthetic poojas (worship) at this temple could bring a lot of relief to the sufferings one may have gone through in life.It is said that the hill got its name after a wild elephant, Kari attacked and killed four girls taking bath. To bring them back to life Sage Kutsamuni undertook a rigorous penance and requested the Lord to save His devotees. Another legend has it that during the building of the bridge to
Lanka to bring backSita ,Sugreeva brought this hillock, also called ‘Neelachala’ from Tirumala (Thirupathi). On his way several Vishnubhakhtas (disciples of Lord Vishnu) pleaded with him to leave it here and so the hill remained here.At the temple premises, there are sharp grasses, "
Eragrostis cynosuroides " locally known as "Dharbe hullu(grass)" inKannada , which is used for performing all sacred rites. [ [http://www.frlht.org.in/meta/index.php?plantid=802&calledFrom=VIEW_ALL_SPECIES&sortBy=E&gPAGE_NO=5&gLOWER_LIMIT=80#view Account of this grass on the Online Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal Plats by FRLHT] ] In "Varaha Purana" it is said that when LordVishnu took the incarnation ofVaraha and shook his body some of the body hair fell on the ground near here the grass now seen here is believed to have come from his hair. [ [http://www.india9.com/i9show/Karighatta-42457.htm Karighatta article on india9.com] ]Legend has it that it was on this hill that the British had placed their cannons during the siege of
Srirangapatnam . [ [http://www.fourwheeldriveindia.com/city_info/srirangapatnam_info.htm A brief on Karighatta from the travel website, fourwheeldriveindia.com] ]Temple Festivals
The traditional car festival held every year is believed to have been initiated by sage
Vaikhanasa as early as theTreta Yuga . This practice is being continued and annual fair takes place duringKumbha Masa Palguna (February-March), when a large number of pilgrims attend.References
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